Huntington Grocer Evacuated After Freon Scare

Photo Credit: Huntington Community First Aid Squad

Nearly 30 employees and shoppers were forced to evacuate a grocery store in Huntington Wednesday afternoon after a reported freon leak, authorities said Friday.

The Huntington Fire Department received the call as an automatic alarm at the Wild by Nature at 369 Main Street store at 1 p.m..

A store employee told Huntington Fire Chief Robert Berry at the scene that there was a freon leak in the basement and evacuations were in progress. Firefighters in full protective gear and breathing apparatus ensured the store’s evacuation, shut off the compressor unit and used portable fans to vent out the store, officials said.

It took about an hour for firefighters to safely ventilate the store, officials said.

Huntington Community First Aid Squad was on the scene with three ambulances and a first-responder vehicle.

The squad evaluated 15 patients at the scene. One woman, approximately age 50, was taken to Huntington Hospital with chest pain, which is a symptom consistent with freon exposure, according to the Huntington Community First Aid Squad.

An additional 14 people at the scene refused medical attention, according to Huntington Community First Aid Squad.

First Deputy Chief Dominic Heavey of HCFAS was first to arrive and established command. Chief Tom Lemp also responded and aided.

The leak was caused by a compressor that malfunctioned, causing the freon line to leak, according to the fire department.

The shop has since resumed its regular business hours.

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